YREKA – The Yreka City Council is setting the wheels in motion for the construction of a multi-purpose sports complex in the Golden City, and its members are seeking input from the citizenry to determine the community interest in this project.

Council members voted unanimously at their March 7 meeting to direct city staff to study the cost and overall feasibility of constructing such a facility.

Councilman Rob Bicego said he introduced this concept for council review after having several discussions with his constituents about the potential benefits of a sports complex in the city of Yreka.

“A sports complex would allow the citizenry to have a place for gatherings in a competitive, fun and healthy outdoor environment all while attracting tourism,” said Bicego.

While the concept is still in the discussion phase, Bicego said he hopes for the complex to be designed similarly to the US Cellular Community Park in Phoenix, Ore.

He envisions an artificial turf, four-field complex arranged in a circle with restrooms and a snack shack in the center. Service organizations could volunteer to staff the snack shack during sporting events and share the profits with the city.

The fields could have movable mounds and fencing to accommodate both adult and youth sporting events such as baseball, softball, field hockey, soccer and rugby games and tournaments, said Bicego.

He stated that Yreka’s game fields are not strategically located, so it is difficult for tournaments to be held locally. Many sports tournaments are held at venues outside the area.

If tournaments were held in Yreka, Bicego said this would bring tourists and their dollars to local hotels and restaurants in addition to raising Yreka’s visibility as a health-conscious and family-friendly community.

Bicego said if this idea generates interest in the community and the council moves forward with planning, the city will seek a land donation, grants and donors for both the construction and maintenance of the facility.

He said his hope is that local business owners will step forward to sponsor a field, and in turn, the field will be named after their business.

“It is not like we are a very rich city and I am very aware of other city needs,” said Bicego. However, he commented that he believes the need and benefits of such a facility is well worth the effort to research its feasibility.

Yreka City Manager Steve Baker stated that he anticipates city staff will complete the information gathering early next month, and he will report back to the council.

City staff will contact officials in Phoenix, Ore. and Klamath Falls, Ore. where sports complex facilities have been successfully established. In addition, city staff will research the costs of sports complex construction and maintenance in other California cities, said Baker.

Page 2 of 2 - Community members who wish to lend their input on the proposed sports complex may attend a meeting and address the council during the public comment period (which is held at the beginning of each meeting). The Yreka City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. the first and third Thursday of each month in City Council Chamber at 701 Fourth St., Yreka.

In addition, citizens may mail letters to the Yreka City Council to the above address.